The Westminster Confession of Faith

Westminster Assembly

Produced by the Westminster Assembly for the great Parliament, this time-honored treasure of the faith bears striking resemblance to the Irish Articles, but is far abler, fuller, and superior to any of its predecessors, and gives proof that the Assembly was steadily dominated by its aim to state nothing therein which is not expressly taught in the Word of God, or derivable therefrom by good and necessary reference.

Section 2

2. The name of God only is that by which men ought to swear, and therein it is to be used with all holy fear and reverence. (Deut. 6:13) Therefore, to swear vainly, or rashly, by that glorious and dreadful Name; or, to swear at all by any other thing, is sinful, and to be abhorred. (Exod. 20:7, Jer. 5:7, Matt. 5:34,37, James 5:12) Yet, as in matters of weight and moment, an oath is warranted by the Word of God, under the new testament as well as under the old; (Heb. 6:16, 2 Cor. 1:23, Isa. 65:16) so a lawful oath, being imposed by lawful authority, in such matters, ought to be taken. (1 Kings 8:31, Neh. 13:25, Ezra 10:5)